[NEohioPAL] Berko review: OF MIC AND MEN @ Blank Canvas

[Roy Berko]

*OF MICE AND MEN compelling at Blank Canvas*



Roy Berko

(Member, American Theatre Critics Association)



There is a new theatre in town…Blank Canvas.  Founder Patrick Ciamacco
explains that this is a professional theatre which pays designers and
actors for their services.  He states that the organization’s staff is
“dedicated to providing a positive working environment and want to show
loyalty and investment in actors.”



Ciamacco states, “it is our goal to create a new love for theater in people
who might not usually see a show. That was why we opened with The Texas
Chainsaw Musical. We saw a large number of non-typical theater people.
We'll always have one show in our season that fits this criteria.  We want
to create a versatile season that appeals to many different people.”



The company’s opening show, THE TEXAS CHAINSAW MUSICAL, was well
received.  Their
latest staging is OF MICE AND MEN.



John Steinbeck’s novella OF MICE AND MEN, which was written in 1937, is
required reading in many high schools.  Not in all, however, because some
right wing religious zealots believe that the “offensive” language of the
book, is not fit for teenagers.  Too bad for those who miss out, because it
is a well-written and meaningful piece of literature.   The play version
follows closely the book’s plot.

Steinbeck knew well the migrant laborers of the depression days.  Mainly
white, poor, and solitary, they travelled the country in look of work.  The
men were mainly frustrated over their working conditions and often dreamed
of having a small place of their own, where they didn’t have to work for
someone else and take orders from bosses who were often as miserable as
themselves.  Steinbeck worked on a company-owned ranch, so he writes from
personal experience.

OF MICE AND MEN basically tells the story of George Milton and Lennie
Small, who wander California in search of work.  They dream of getting
enough money to buy a small ranch site they know is available.  Much like
the Robert Burns poem “To A Mouse,” which reads, “The best laid schemes o’
mice an’ men, often go awry,’ the men’s plans often get destroyed.

George and Lennie are best friends.  George is smart, not from book
learning, but filled with common sense.  Lennie is anything but the small
stature his last name indicates.  He is large, has great strength, but
limited intelligence.  A creature of emotional drives, he is childlike in
his obsession for touching soft things.  When he touches softness, whether
it be mice, rabbits, puppies or cloth, he can lose rationale control.  The
living things he touches often, because of his strength and uncontrolled
emotions, wind up dead.

George attempts to protect Lennie from the world around him.  Lennie makes
George’s life meaningful, by giving him someone needs him.

The duo finds works at a ranch, working under the supervision of the
ill-willed Curley, the boss’s son.  Just when the duo’s hopes for getting
their little farm seem to be within reach, Curley’s beautiful, but unhappy
wife, becomes the innocent victim of Lennie’s compassion, and true tragedy
strikes on several fronts.

Presented on a thrust stage surrounded by only three rows of seats, the
entire staging is uptight and personal.  For this closeness to work, the
production must be realistic.  Under the careful direction of Patrick
Ciamacco, the Blank Canvases production is compelling.  Everything from the
realistic fight scenes, to the clear character development, is
on-target.  Laughter
or emotional gasps from the audience, at key moments, clearly reflect the
quality of the show.  More than one handkerchief was pulled out at the
concluding blackout.

Ciamacco, who not only directs, has designed the sets, serves as technical
director, created the program, and conceived the poster design, makes
Lennie live.  This is not a portrayal, this is a case of immersing yourself
into a part so much that you become the person. He walks the fine line
between being childish and child-like with precision.  He creates a
man-child who the audience wants to cuddle and save from himself.

Joe Kenderes, as George, is Ciamacco’s equal.  He is totally believable in
creating a man who says that he would be better off alone, but who cares so
greatly for Lennie that he would do about anything to save the hulking man
of limited abilities from pain.

Tim Tvcar, as Candy, the old man who lost his hand in a ranch accident and
sees no personal future, Noah Hbrek, as the hateful insecure Curley, Betsy
Kahl, Curley’s lonely wife who finds herself isolated and wanting only
“someone to talk to,” Daniel Bush, as a rational mule man, Lucas
Scattergood (Carlson), William Goff (Whit), John Polk (The Boss), and
Marvin Mallory (Crooks), are all excellent.  Even Riley, who portrays
Candy’s aged dog, has great stage presence.

The set, the location changes, and the incidental music all add greatly to
the performance.

*CAPSULE JUDGMENT:  Blank Canvas’s OF MICE AND MEN is compelling piece of
theatre.  This is an absolutely must see production filled with fine acting
and focused staging.  *



OF MICE AND MEN runs though April 1 in its west side theatre, 1305
West 78thStreet, Suite 211, Cleveland.
Get directions to the theatre on the website.  (My GPS was of little help).
Once you arrive at the site, go around the first building to find the
entrance and then follow the signs to the second floor acting space.  It’s
an adventurous battle, but worth the effort. For tickets and directions go
to *www.blankcanvasthetre.com*
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